Voters Go To The Polls Tuesday In Harwich

HARWICH – The annual town elections will get underway on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 a.m. at the community center. While there is only one contested race this year, there are also four debt exclusion questions on the ballot. 

There is competition for the two seats for three-year terms on the Brooks Free Library trustees with candidates Lynn Budell, Kathleen Cockcroft and Cynthia Gushee vying for the positions. 

Voters at town meeting last week approved three of the four debt exclusion ballot questions by two-thirds majority votes. Those articles sought $11.8 million for the Monomoy Regional Middle School roof reconstruction; $577,500 to purchase and equip a new ambulance for the fire department; and $425,000 to purchase and equip a new boat for the harbor department.

The one article that remains on the ballot but failed to gain support at town meeting sought $1 million for architectural and engineering costs to support construction of a new maintenance and mechanical workshop facility for the department of public works. That article was defeated 159-172.

Voters will still vote on Question 4 on the town election ballot, said Town Clerk Emily Mitchell. If the question passes by a simple majority, the town could hold a special town meeting to secure voter support to authorize the funding.

Debt exclusion votes require both actions: a favorable town meeting vote, passed by two-thirds majority, and a favorable town election vote with a simple majority. Those actions can occur in either order: town meeting first, then town election, or vice versa, Mitchell said.

“I’m not aware of any discussion or intention by the town to call a special town meeting if the question passes,” she said. “I only mention it as a legal possibility.”

 The election will bring be some changes on the Monomoy Regional School Committee. There are two three-year terms on the ballot as well as a one-year term. Incumbent Meredith Henderson, the current chair, is not a candidate for re-election. Incumbent Ryan Clarke is also not seeking re-election.

 Kathryn Cutter and Richard Roy are seeking to fill those seats. Bretten Fortin — who was elected in the beginning of February by a joint vote of the select board and Harwich members of the regional school committee to fill the unexpired term of Bre Rose — is the only candidate for the one-year unexpired term on the committee.

Change is also coming to the water/wastewater commission with incumbents Allin Thompson and John Gough stepping aside. The two candidates running for three-year terms are former selectman Ed McManus and Ann Frechette.

Select Board Chair Donald Howell and member Jeffrey Handler are unopposed for the two three-year terms on the ballot. Incumbent Kimberly Bourgea is seeking the five-year term on the housing authority.

If registered voters applied to vote by mail by the deadline (Tuesday, May 12), they may return their mailed ballot up until the close of the polls at 8 p.m. on election day, Mitchell said. Voters who qualify to vote absentee must meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria: they will be out of town on election day; have a disability that makes it challenging to vote in person on election day; or have a religious belief that prevents them from voting at their polling location on election day. They may vote in person at the town clerk’s office during regular business hours up until Monday, May 18, at noon, according to Mitchell.

Sample ballots are available on the town clerk election Information page on the town website, said Mitchell